*) UN human rights session opens

More than 100 heads of state and ministers are set to take part in the week-long United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva.

The session focuses on issues ranging from Russia's alleged war crimes in Ukraine to China's reported mistreatment of its Muslim minority.

A UN report published last year found that the detention of Uighurs and other Muslims by China may constitute crimes against humanity. Beijing denies any abuses.

*) Nigeria awaits first election results

Nigeria has announced initial results on Sunday after a tight election for the presidency of Africa's most populous nation.

The election pits former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress against former vice president Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party.

A surprise third-party candidate, Labour Party's Peter Obi, has challenged the APC and PDP dominance with a message of change and an appeal to younger voters.

Announcing first results state by state, the Independent National Electoral Commission said APC' s Tinubu easily won southwestern Ekiti state with PDP coming second.

*) Israeli premier says will not freeze building settlements in West Bank

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there will be no change in the plan to build illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank.

Netanyahu’s remarks came following a meeting held in Jordan on Sunday, with the participation of Palestine, Israel, Jordan, the US and Egypt.

According to Jordan’s foreign ministry, Israel had committed to stop discussion of any new settlement units for 4 months and to stop authorisation of any military outposts for 6 months.

The Israeli premier denied such reports.

*) British premier, EU chief to meet amid talks on Northern Ireland

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will hold face-to-face talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as the two sides seek a deal to resolve post-Brexit talks on the Northern Ireland Protocol.

In a joint statement, the leaders said they will continue to work towards shared and practical solutions to the longstanding issue.

Sunak on Wednesday said any deal needs to ensure sovereignty for Northern Ireland and safeguard its place in the union.

*) Football fans shower field with toys for children in quake-hit Türkiye

Istanbul football club Besiktas fans have thrown thousands of stuffed toys on the field in a show of solidarity with children who were affected by the devastating earthquakes in Türkiye.

Sunday's Besiktas game was paused at 4 minutes 17 seconds after the kick off in memory of the earthquake which struck at 4.17 am local time on February 6, killing at least 44,374 people.

The Turkish football team started the campaign, asking fans to bring stuffed toys to be donated to the affected children.